Log In

Sign Up

Wild India – Nagaland

mahesh

Nagaland has a total area of 16,579 square kilometres and most of its region is mountainous except for the area bordering Assam valley. About one-sixth of the state is under the cover of tropical and sub-tropical evergreen forests which are rich in flora and fauna.

The state hosts varied habitats ranging from bamboo forests to those covered with Mahogany and Teak. These forest provide shelter to a variety of animals and birds like elephants, leopards, bears, monkeys as well as a number of birds and reptiles. The Great Indian Hornbill and Blyth’s Tragopan as the most famous residents of this state.

Here is a list of wild life sanctuaries and national parks of this state.

Ntangki National Park

Location: Ntangki National Park is located in Peren district of Nagaland. It was declared as a national park in the year of 1993. Total area of the park is 202.02 square kilometres. In 2005, the park was also declared an elephant reserve by the government.

It is to be noted that the Park existed as early as 1923. The peculiar name of the Park is from Zeme dialect of Zeliangrong tribe.

Attractions: The geographical features of the park favours the growth of equatorial forests and meadows. Tropical trees like palms, rattan and bamboo and mahogany can also be found in large clusters. Mountain ranges, cliff-tops reaching to the skies and beautiful valleys give an ethereal touch to its scenic beauty

The Park is a perfect habitat for all types of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. The park is home to animals like Hoolock Gibbon, Golden Langur, Palm Civets, Tiger, Black Stork, Sloth Bear, Wild Dogs, Flying Squirrel, Monitor Lizard and Python.

Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Located in Nagaland’s Kiphire district, the Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary is close to the Indo-Myanmar border. Set up in 1983, it is spread over a region encompassing 642 hectares.

Attractions: The sanctuary is visually enticing and the variation of terrains and altitude is remarkable. This has led to a great diversity in flora and fauna here. There are deep gorges, narrow valleys along with high hills in this region.

Some of the prominent trees found in the forest include Sasi, Kachnar, Alder, Uriam, Nahor, Hollock, Gamari, Amari, Oaks, Khasi Pine, Bogipoma and Bonsum. Over a dozen species of ferns also grow here along with several varieties of orchids. Rhododendrons in the sanctuary bloom during the months of March and April. Canes and bamboos are also found here in abundance.

Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary shelters a rich variety of fauna like Slender Loris, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Sambar, Bison, Himalayan Bear, Jungle Cat, Panther and Hoolock Gibbons. A number of gorgeous birds are also the inhabitants of the sanctuary such as Doves, Green Pigeon, Jungle Fowl, Grey Pheasant and Tragopan Pheasant.

Best Time to Visit: November to February

Things to do: Bird watching and nature trails.

Pulie Badze Wildlife Sanctuary

(Photo from: http://www.sanctuariesindia.com/pulie-badze-sanctuary/)

Location: Pulie Badze is a few kilometres away from Kohima near Jotsoma Village. This place is rich for its flora and fauna and is a wildlife sanctuary.

Legend has it that Pulie was a brave farmer who fought a serpent which used to eat up all his harvest. The serpent swallowed Pulie and he became a spirit. When Pulie’s family came looking for him, they could only hear his voice which kept going farther and farther. The family realising what had happened, kept a chair in the field, told Pulie ‘to be seated’ – Pulie-badze – and left.

Attractions: Pulie Badze Sanctuary is rich for its floral species. There are many medicinal plants, bamboos and many species of flora in this area. Pulie Badze forests and the adjoining Dzuku valley are the habitat of some rare and endangered Avi Faunal species like Blyth’s Tragopan and Dark Rumped Swift.

Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Rangapahar Reserve Forest near Dimapur is another tourist attraction of Nagaland. The forest covers an area of about 20.20 hectares.

Attractions: The Reserve forest is home to many unique plant and animal life, as well as birds that are unique only to this region. One can spot deer, bear, chital, wild goat and many other animals in this forest reserve. There are many endangered species that have been conserved and protected inside reserve.